Hi Guys,

I have been undergoing lots at  hospitals to do with Gastroenterology to update you on.I promise will be back soon writing once the University year is over!

However, today we are fortunate enough to have an informative guest post from Ashley Smith on physical therapy. So without further a do…

I will hand you over

Lots of Love,

Most Common Myths And Facts About Physical Therapy

It is widely believed that physical therapy is the best medicine/ solution for treating any kind of a pain. Physical therapy does not have any negative side effects on your health in any way. Normally, most of us have experienced a physical therapy at some point in time. Mostly, we are recommended to a physical therapist in the case of an accidental injury or a surgery. Therefore, we believe that we can visit them only if and when our doctor prescribes it.

Any kind of a physical therapy effectively helps you in restoring the movement, increasing mobility and flexibility, and on the top of everything, it helps in relieving the pain caused by injuries and certain health conditions. Physical therapists are the experts in treating any sort of pain, including all injuries and most of the health conditions. There are various kinds of physical therapy treatments that effectively work on the specific or the affected areas of the body.

However, in spite of knowing most of the benefits of the physical therapy, many people have certain myths about it. Yes, you read that right.  People believe certain things about the physical therapy, which are not true. You will be happy to know these myths and facts, which are the actual eye-openers for many of us.

Myth: I Can Visit a Physical Therapist Only When I Am Recommended

Fact

According to American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), it is found that around 70% of the people believe that they can visit a physical therapist only if they have a referral from their doctors. But, the fact is you can visit a physical therapist even without a referral. Mostly, we all visit them only when we are recommended for an accidental injury or a surgery.

The good news is you can visit a physical therapist on your own, whenever you feel even a little twinge of pain in your back, shoulders or the neck. Moreover, it is to be noted that most of the athletes and sports people attend physical therapy sessions to improve their performance, increase strength, flexibility, and movement. Therefore, do not delay your visit and treat that little pain of yours right away.

Myth: You Can Take A Physical Therapy Treatment Only In Case Of Accidents And Injuries

Fact

As mentioned earlier, many of us must have visited a physical therapist only in the case of an injury or an accident. So, we are habituated to believing that we cannot visit them exceptionally in any other case, where we are not recommended.

The fact is that you can visit a physical therapist even if you are suffering from severe and frequent headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, or a back pain. Patients with chronic pain have chronic connective tissue disorders and they tend to heal slower. Therefore, they need an extra care to help them progress at their tolerance to prevent setbacks and frustration. In such cases, the relevant physical therapy effectively helps the patient in relieving their chronic pain. It is essential that the patient should be given the most relevant and effective physical therapy to help them overcome their chronic pain and disorder.

Myth:Physical Therapy Comprises Only Exercises

Fact

A few people may believe that going to a physical therapist will only make you do some exercises. They may think that a physical therapist can only suggest doing exercises to treat the pain caused by musculoskeletal conditions.

But, the fact is physical therapy is much more than just performing exercises. It is true that a physical therapist uses a lot of exercises to help you restore the function and movement of the body. However, they also use a variety of techniques to help you relieve the pain. The concerned physical therapists closely work with you and examine your pain thoroughly. They determine the cause of the pain and prepare a treatment plan that uniquely meets your personal needs, along with treating the pain and injuries.

Myth: Any Healthcare Professional Can Offer Physical Therapy

Fact

A majority of the people know that physical therapy can be performed by a licensed physical therapist. Yet, a few of us still believe that it can be offered by any healthcare professional, which is not true. A licensed physical therapist only can perform physical therapy, which will be accurate and effective.

Today, you will find graduating physical therapists are doctors of physical therapy, attaining education of 6 to 7 years in the concerned universities. Lots of them go ahead to earn board certification in certain specific areas such as orthopaedics, sports, women’s health, neurology, or manual therapy. A licensed physical therapy assistant can perform physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a doctor of physical therapy. Any healthcare professional, who does not have a license of a relevant physical therapy certification cannot offer physical therapy services. According to Peak Motion Physical Therapy, “Physical therapists should be highly trained in corrective exercises to guide healing and restore function.”

Myth: Insurance Plans Do Not Cover Physical Therapy

Fact

Most of the insurance plans cover physical therapy treatment. In fact, a majority of the insurance companies have a list of physical therapy providers in their network. So, it is advisable that you check with your insurance company if it offers a cover for a physical therapy treatment and if so, then inquire about the deductible amount and the relevant details. It is vital that you should know your financial liabilities before you begin your treatment.

Myth: Only A Surgery Can Heal My Pain Or Injury

Fact

In lots of the cases, physical therapy has proved to be very effective in treating injuries without having you to go under the knife. Physical therapy can effectively heal injuries and pain without needing a surgery in many cases. Physical therapists are the best people, who can accurately identify your pain and heal it effectively with the most relevant pain-relief therapies and rehab services. So, visit a physical therapist today itself if you are suffering from any such injury or a pain.

Thus, do not believe your myths and get your injuries and pain treated without further delay by a licensed physical therapist.

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Have your Say

Have you experienced any myths discussed in this article or know of any other ones? – If so I would love to hear them below.